back

I know, it’s been a while since I have posted a blog. Too long, perhaps. I use the excuse that everybody else uses, the holidays, etc, etc. But I am back…sort of.

I won’t go on and on because right now things are happening internally that we don’t know about in preparation for the 2007 campaign. The wheels are in motion, the teams are preparing, the hosts are setting up and the Champ Car World Series is working out the kinks before starting the season. This off-season is very short, especially from a logistic standpoint and this is definitely the time when the Champ Car employees, the people behind the scenes work the hardest. I like to give them their props, as they are the hardest working people with very little exterior recognition. Those glorious events that we go too and see on television each year don’t just appear out of mid-air, as we all know. Thanks to countless hours, meetings, emails, phone-calls, Champ Car manages to put on these seamless events that regularly take over a city, involve tons and tons of equipment and accommodates upwards of 150 thousand spectators in 3 days.
Yes, we love our drivers, we love our broadcasters, and we love our team owners. But without the people in the background, away from the spotlight, we have nothing. For every person in the spotlight, it takes a spotlight operator. ;)
So yes folks, I welcome the New Year by giving thanks, as a fan of the series, to all the hard working people who’s busiest time of the year isn’t in April with three races in a row, or mid-July with the season in full swing. Their busiest time is right now. The dredging planning stage. And I am not just talking actual Champ Car employees, but also event employees who work 362 days a year to make a three-day festival of speed happen. I have been in a fortunate position in the past (and hopefully future) to meet a lot of these people and their dedication is always the first thing that astounds me the most. I thank them; I salute them and look forward to seeing their wonderful work in 2007.